System, and Associated Method, for Recovering Water From Air

ABSTRACT

A system for recovering water from air includes a base plate having an upper surface having a substantially non-reflective surface to absorb heat energy from the sun. A column is positioned on the base plate and has at least one wall through which heat energy from the sun may pass to the base plate to heat the base plate, and the base plate heats air in the column. An upper thermally conductive plate is secured at an angle between horizontal and vertical within an upper end of the column. A lower plate is secured within the column parallel to and spaced beneath the upper plate to define a flow channel between the upper plate and the lower plate. A thermoelectric cooler is connectable to a power source for cooling the upper plate. An accumulator is positioned for collecting and accumulating water that condenses on and flows through the flow channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 9,587,381, formerlyco-pending application Ser. No. 14/949,808, filed on Nov. 23, 2015, andissued on Mar. 7, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/083,168, filed Nov. 22, 2014, which patent andapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to recovering water from air, and, moreparticularly, to condensing and collecting water that has been absorbedinto air, also known as the atmosphere.

BACKGROUND

The supply of water, and clean water in particular, has progressivelybecome a serious problem in many parts of the world. The ground waterlevel sinks, severe droughts occur, landscapes dry up, and desertsspread. The water which exists in these areas is generally very highlypolluted, which in turn can lead to disease among both people andanimals, with infections, which can result in major disasters.

Many attempts have been made to supply such problem areas with water insome form or other, either by drilling to great depths in the soil tocreate water wells and recover water from under the ground, or bydamming up and channeling as needed water on the surface of the ground.However, there are regions in which water may not be recovered fromunder the ground via wells, and no water is available on the surface ofthe ground that may be dammed and channeled, and such techniques aretherefore not available.

Where sea water is available, plants have been developed for purifyingsuch water in order to provide drinking water. However, sea water is notalways available, or is only available via extensive pipeline systems,and such plants are generally prohibitively expensive to build, andrequire substantial energy to operate.

Where water is not available either under the ground or on the surfaceof the ground, and sea water is not readily available, attempts havebeen made to recover moisture from the atmosphere, that is, byrecovering water which exists in humid air. Techniques which haveheretofore been developed for recovering water from air require complexequipment, such as evaporators, condensers, large fans to force airthrough a system, and/or the like, and substantial space for suchequipment, as well as substantial energy to operate such equipment.

Accordingly, a continuing search has been directed to the development ofsystems and methods which can recover water from the atmosphere, whichsystems and methods do not require complex equipment and substantialamounts of space and energy to operate.

SUMMARY

The present invention, accordingly, provides an apparatus for recoveringwater from air. The apparatus includes a funnel having a non-reflectivesurface oriented for receiving and absorbing heat energy from the sun,and an upwardly-oriented vertex end defining a vertex opening, and adownwardly-oriented base end defining a base opening larger than thevertex opening. The funnel is preferably supported on legs positionedproximate to the base opening of the lower funnel. An upwardly extendingcolumn having a relatively non-reflecting exterior surface is attachedto the vertex opening for facilitating fluid communication by convectionfrom the funnel to the column. A condensing surface is secured within achannel defined within the interior of the column, and at least onethermoelectric cooler or continuous absorption cooler operable by theapplication heat furnished by gas is positioned on the condensingsurface for cooling the condensing surface. A collector is positionedwithin the column for catching water that condenses on, and drips from,the condensing surface, and flows through the channel. The collector isconnected in fluid communication with an accumulator for receiving andaccumulating condensate received by the collector.

In the operation of the invention, the funnel is heated from sunlight,and heat is transferred from the funnel to air inside the funnel,causing the air to rise into, and flow through, the column. Water in theair condenses on the condensing surface, drips from the condensingsurface, flows through the channel, is caught by the collector, andaccumulated in the accumulator for access by a user.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a system for recoveringwater from air includes a base plate having an upper surface having asubstantially non-reflective surface to absorb heat energy from the sun.A column is positioned on the base plate and has at least one wallthrough which heat energy from the sun may pass to the base plate toheat the base plate, and the base plate heats air in the column. Anupper thermally conductive plate is secured at an angle betweenhorizontal and vertical within an upper end of the column. A lower plateis secured within the column parallel to and spaced beneath the upperplate to define a flow channel between the upper plate and the lowerplate. A thermoelectric cooler is connectable to a power source forcooling the upper plate. An accumulator is positioned for collecting andaccumulating water that condenses on and flows through the flow channel.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 exemplifies a perspective view of a water recovery systemembodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 exemplifies a partially cut-away perspective view of an interiorof a condenser adapted for use in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 presents a plan view of the condenser of FIG. 2 taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 presents a cross-sectional view of the condenser of FIG. 2 takenalong the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the invention of FIG. 4wherein the column is sealed so as to force all upward-flowing airthrough the condenser;

FIG. 6 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the water recoverysystem of FIG. 1 embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 7 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the invention made morecompact by forgoing the column and forcing all upward-flowing airthrough the condenser;

FIG. 8 presents detail of a condenser of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the invention of FIG. 7wherein the accumulator forms an integral portion of the condenser;

FIG. 10 presents detail of a condenser and accumulator of the embodimentof FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 exemplifies a water recovery system according to a furtheralternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without such specific details. Additionally, for themost part, details concerning thermoelectric coolers, continuousabsorption coolers, solar panels, and the like, have been omittedinasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain acomplete understanding of the present invention, and are considered tobe within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake ofclarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similarelements are designated by the same reference numeral through theseveral views.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 100 generallydesignates a water recovery system embodying features of the presentinvention. System 100 preferably includes a frusto-conical skirt orfunnel 102, preferably supported on four legs 104, though any number oflegs may be utilized in support of the funnel, or legs may be omittedand openings formed in the funnel 102 to permit the inflow of air.Funnel 102 is preferably fabricated from a sheet of thermally conductivematerial, such as sheet metal, and includes a vertex 109, or upper, end102 a defining a vertex, or upper, opening 102 a′, and a base, or lower,end 102 b defining a base, or lower, opening 102 b′ larger than thevertex opening 102 a′. The exterior surface of funnel 102, andoptionally, the interior surface as well, are preferably substantiallynon-reflective heat-absorbing surfaces, such as, for example, blacksurfaces, or other dark colored substantially non-reflectiveheat-absorbing surfaces.

A column 106 is mounted over upper opening 102 a′ of funnel 102. Column106 is preferably fabricated from sheet metal, having a cross-sectionwhich is preferably circular, and includes an exterior surface, andoptionally, an interior surface as well, which is substantiallyreflective, being, for example, metallic, white, or other substantiallylight-reflective color. Alternatively, depending on air temperature andhumidity and exposure to sunlight, it may be advantageous forfacilitating convection for all or a portion of the exterior surface,and optionally, interior surface as well, of the column 106 to besubstantially non-reflective, being, for example, black, or othersubstantially dark color, or some grade of reflectivity that ispartially reflective and non-reflective. While the cross-section ofcolumn 106 is exemplified as being circular, it may alternatively be anyof a number of different shapes, such as square, triangular, or thelike. A cover 137 is preferably positioned atop column 106 forpreventing debris in the air from falling into the condenser andaccumulator.

A condenser 110 is positioned within an upper portion of column 106,and, as shown and described in greater detail below with respect toFIGS. 2-4, preferably comprises four substantially flat interior sides,or walls, 111 configured to form a funnel in the shape of an invertedpyramid. Alternatively, condenser 110 may be configured in any of anumber of different ways, and may, by way of example, have more or lessthan four walls, or assume alternative configurations, such as a conicalshape, as discussed below. Walls 111 are preferably fabricated from athermally conductive material, such as sheet metal. A channel 126extends downwardly from an opening formed at vertex 109 of condenser110, and fluid communication is thereby established between the interiorof condenser 110 and the interior of channel 126. Four exterior walls112 and 113 are formed outside of respective interior walls 111 and 125,the interior and exterior walls being substantially parallel to eachother. A flow channel 118 is defined between interior walls 111 andexterior walls 112, and a channel 126 is defined between interior walls125 and exterior walls 113. An upper end of interior walls 111 is formedinto an arcuate shape 119 which extends over exterior walls 112 and isopen for capturing air currents that flow upwardly through column 106,as discussed further below. Walls 112, 113, and 125 are preferablyfabricated from material, such as plastic, that is relativelyineffective for conducting heat. The exterior surfaces of exterior walls112 and 113 are preferably insulated with insulation 127. Similarly, theinterior surfaces of interior walls 125 are preferably insulated withinsulation 122. As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, condenser 110 ispreferably secured in column 106 by tack welding each of four corners115 of condenser 110 to the interior wall of column 106. Alternatively,condenser 110 may be secured in column 106 using any other conventionalmeans, such as support arms or braces extending between condenser 110and column 106, similar to support arms or braces 117 extending betweena collector 114 (discussed below) and column 106, described below withrespect to FIGS. 2 and 4.

Collector 114 is preferably positioned within column 106 under condenser110 for receiving water that drips from vertex 109 and walls 113.Collector 114 is preferably conically-shaped, and is supported thereinusing any conventional means, such as a plurality of metal arms orbraces 117 extending between collector 114 and column 106, or (notshown) between collector 114 and walls 113. In an alternativeembodiment, collector 114 is joined to walls 113 to form a substantiallyair-tight seal between collector 114 and walls 113 and to provideadditional support for condenser 110.

A conduit 116, such as a tube or hose, is preferably connected in fluidcommunication between collector 114 and an accumulator 128, such as adrum, and extends through the wall of column 106, for facilitating theflow of water from collector 114 to accumulator 128. A vent 135 mayoptionally be provided on the conduit 116. In an alternative embodimentof the invention, conduit 116 is connected directly to walls 113 to forma substantially air-tight seal between walls 113 and conduit 116, and toprovide additional support for condenser 110, rendering collector 114unnecessary.

Accumulator 128 is configured for accumulating and storing watercaptured by collector 114, and, but for conduit 116, is preferablyclosed and sealed at the top, though it may alternatively beopen-topped. While not shown, accumulator 128 preferably also includesmeans, such as a valve positioned in a lower portion of accumulator 128,for enabling a user to conveniently draw water from the accumulator in amanner well-known in the art. Accumulator 128 is preferably positionedlaterally and externally of funnel 102, but may alternatively becentrally positioned directly under funnel 102 and condenser 110, withconduit 116 running straight downwardly from collector 114 toaccumulator 128.

System 100 further includes an electrical power source 120, preferablycomprising one or more batteries 121 and solar panels 124, which arepreferably configured in a conventional manner for working together sothat power may be supplied from the battery when there is little or nosunshine to energize the solar panels. Electrical power source 120 isconnected via wires 108 for supplying electrical power to the certaincomponents of condenser 110, described further below. Electrical powersource 120 is preferably self-contained, needing no external powersupply, though external electrical power may optionally be madeavailable through conventional power sources, as needed, shouldelectrical power source 120 be unable to supply the quantity of powerneeded by condenser 110.

At least one Peltier Junction Module, or thermoelectric cooler (TEC),202 is preferably positioned on an interior surface of each interiorwall 111 so that, when energized, the TECs absorb heat from, and therebycool, the walls 111 of condenser 110. TECs 202 are electrically coupledvia wires 108 to power source 120, and may be interconnected in anyconventional manner, such as by a parallel or serial circuit. While notshown, TECs 202 are preferably provided with heat sinks on a sideopposing walls 111 for dissipating heat absorbed by the TECs. TECs, suchas described herein, are considered to be well-known in the art and,therefore, will not be described in further detail herein, exceptinsofar as necessary to describe the invention. Alternatively, anysuitable method for cooling interior walls 111 may be used, such as, byway of example, a continuous absorption type of cooling unit operated bythe application of a limited amount of heat furnished by gas.

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of condenser 110 within column 106. Asexemplified most clearly therein, TECs 202 are preferably seriallyconnected to wires 108, though they may alternatively be connected inparallel. Also shown in FIG. 3 are spaces 302 between column 106 andcondenser 110, to thereby facilitate the upward flow of air throughcolumn 106 and past condenser 110, for reasons discussed in furtherdetail below.

In operation, system 100 is preferably positioned so that funnel 102 isexposed to the heat of sunlight which is absorbed by, and thereby heats,the dark or black surface of funnel 102. Heat from the surface of funnel102 heats air inside funnel 102, causing the air to convectively rise upin funnel 102 through vertex opening 102 a′, and into column 106, asindicated by arrows 107. The air is then captured by arcuate bends 119and directed through channels 118 and 126. Electrical power is appliedto the TECs 202 to cause them thereby to cool walls 111 of condenser110. As heated air passes through channel 118 and over cooled walls 111,water in the air condenses onto surfaces of channel 118. The condensedwater then flows, from the force of gravity, downwardly through channels118 and 126, and into collector 114. Water caught by collector 114 thenflows, as indicated by an arrow 130, through conduit 116 to accumulator128, where it is made available for use by a user (not shown) in aconventional manner.

As air in channel 118 is cooled, it flows downwardly through thechannels 118 and 126, as indicated by arrows 107. The downward flow ofair in channels 118 and 126 creates a pressure drop at the top ofchannel 118 which draws new warmer air in funnel 102 into channel 118,thereby maintaining a flow of air from funnel 102 through channels 118and 126. As the TECs 202 heat the air in cavity 134, the air rises,creating a pressure drop at the bottom of channel 126, which drawscooled air from channel 126 upwardly, as indicated by arrows 132, intocavity 134. It may be appreciated that a continual flow of air ismaintained from funnel 102, downwardly into channels 118 and 126,upwardly into cavity 134 and back into the atmosphere.

FIG. 5 exemplifies an alternative embodiment of the invention of FIG. 4wherein the column is sealed by a wall 111 substantially flat horizontalextension so as to force all upward-flowing air through condenser 100 asindicated by arrows 107. Operation of the embodiment of FIG. 5 isotherwise similar to the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 depicts the details of a water recovery system 500 according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. Since water recoverysystem 500 contains many components that are substantially identical tothose of the previous embodiment 100, such components are referred to bythe same reference numerals and will not be described in any furtherdetail. According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, column 106 is replaced bya primary column 506 having a bend 502 formed between a lower portion506 a and an upper portion 506 b of column 506. Lower portion 506 a ofcolumn 506 is connected in fluid communication to funnel 102, and upperportion 506 b of column 506 is connected in fluid communication to acentral portion of an auxiliary column 504. Auxiliary column 504 ispreferably a substantially straight, vertically extending column whichdefines an open lower end 504 a and an open upper end 504 b. Condenser110 and collector 114 are positioned within auxiliary column 504 betweenthe open upper end 504 b of auxiliary column 504 and the connection ofupper portion 506 b of column 506 to auxiliary column 504, and aresecured thereto similarly as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.In further contrast to the water recovery system 100, wherein conduit116 extends through the wall of column 106, in the water recovery system500, conduit 116 preferably runs downwardly through the open lower end504 a of auxiliary column 504.

Operation of the water recovery system 500 is similar to the operationof water recovery system 100, the only material difference being thatwarm humid air passes from primary column 506 to auxiliary column 504before passing over condenser 110.

FIGS. 7 and 8 exemplify an alternative, more streamlined embodiment ofthe invention. A skirt 206 preferably comprises sheet material in theshape of a four-panel frustum, or alternatively a frusto-conical shape,the sheet material being a heat-absorbing thermally conductive material,such as sheet metal having a black exterior, and supported by legs 204.Skirt 206 is preferably used to perform the functions of funnel 102 andcolumn 106 of heating air and directing the heated air into condenser110, and are connected directly to the upper edges of interior walls111. Accumulator 128 is replaced by accumulator 218 which is positioneddirectly beneath condenser 110. Accumulator 218 is connected via aconduit 216 to exterior walls 112 for collecting condensate condensed onwalls 111. A cover 237 is provided for preventing debris in the air fromfalling into the condenser and accumulator.

In the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, heat energy fromthe sun heats skirt 206 which heats air under skirt 206. Warm heated airunder skirt 206 rises, enters channel 118, and then passes by wall 111which is cooled by TECs 202. Water in the air is then condensed out andpasses downwardly through channel 118 and conduit 216, as indicated byarrow 130, into accumulator 218. After the water is condensed out, theair flows upwardly as indicated by arrows 132 and 142, returning to theambient air. The upward flow of air is facilitated by heat absorbed anddissipated by TECs 202.

FIGS. 9 and 10 exemplify an alternative embodiment of the invention ofFIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the accumulator 218 forms an integral andstreamlined portion of the condenser 110. Interior walls 111 ofcondenser 110 are preferably substantially vertical, and the walls ofaccumulator 218 extend upwardly to envelope walls 111. Operation of theembodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the operation of theembodiment of FIGS. 7-8.

FIG. 11 exemplifies a water recovery system 1100 according to a furtheralternate embodiment of the present invention. Water recovery system1100 includes a column 1102, preferably comprising a material thatallows light to pass through, such as clear plastic. Column 1102 may bedefined by any suitable cross-section, such as square or round. Column1102 is preferably seated on a base plate 1104 having a non-reflectivesurface and heat-absorbing color, such as black, for absorbing heatenergy from the sun, and for heating air within column 1102, therebycausing air in the column to rise upwardly. Openings 1106 are defined ina lower portion of column 1102 for allowing air to enter into column1102, indicated by arrows 1128, as air in column 1102 rises upwardly.

An upper portion of column 1102 is sealed, but for a condenserpassageway 1112 defined by an upper plate 1108 and a lower plate 1110,which plates are arranged at an angle to define an inlet 1130 and anoutlet 1120. The plates 1108 and 1110 are preferably fabricated from athermally conductive material such as copper, and include respectivesurfaces 1108 a and 1110 a onto which are preferably formed grooves forfacilitating the flow of water droplets passing through passageway 1112.A layer of insulation 1114 is preferably adhered to the bottom side ofplate 1110 for preventing the transfer of heat from air in column 1102to air in passageway 1112, to thereby render the system 1100 moreefficient for recovering water from air. An accumulator 1126 ispositioned on an exterior surface of column 1102 for collecting watercondensed in condenser passageway 1112.

At least one Peltier Junction Module, or thermoelectric cooler (TEC),1116 is positioned so that a side 1116 a of TEC 1116 that is cool inoperation is firmly seated against the upper surface of upper plate 1108to facilitate the transfer of heat from air in passageway 1112 to TEC1116. A heat sink 1118 is positioned on a side 1116 b of TEC 1116opposite side 1116 a for absorbing heat from the TEC and dissipatingthat heat to the air. While not shown, it is understood that the TEC maybe supplied electrical power in any conventional manner, such as byelectrical power source 120 via wires 108.

In operation, TEC 1116 is powered on and proceeds to transfer heat fromplate 1108 to heat sink 1118, thereby cooling plate 1108. While plate1108 is cooling, heat energy from the sun passes through the clear wallsof column 1102 and heats base plate 1104, which in turn heats aircontained within the column until the air is warmed and rises upwardly,as indicated by arrow 1132, toward inlet 1130 of passageway 1112. As thewarm air rises, a pressure drop in column 1102 draws more air into thecolumn through openings 1106, as indicated by arrows 1128. As warm airpasses through inlet 1130 into passageway 1112, water in the warm aircondenses on the cool surface 1108 a of plate 1108 and the waterdroplets either flow down the grooved surface 1108 a or fall ontogrooved surface 1110 a and flow downwardly. As water droplets form oneither or both surfaces 1108 a and 1110 a, they flow downwardly, and arecollected in accumulator 1126 for use as desired.

By the use of the present invention, a system and method are disclosedwhich can recover water from the atmosphere, and which do not requirecomplex equipment and substantial amounts of space and energy tooperate.

It is understood that the present invention may take many forms andembodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in theforegoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of theinvention. For example, column 106 or 506 could operate without funnel102, or column 106 or 506 could in its entirety constitute a funnelwithout a cylindrical portion. System 100 may be fabricated without legs104, and holes may be perforated in funnel 102 to allow for the entry ofair therein. Still further, condensers may be modified wherein largerand/or additional TECs 202 are positioned on the interior of walls 111and arranged thereon (e.g., side-by-side or stacked) and/or shaped tothereby maximize the portion of the surfaces of the walls 111 that arecooled by the TECs. Ducting may be added to the embodiment of FIG. 11 todirect air exiting from outlet 1120 over the heat sink 1118 tofacilitate the flow of air and more efficiently operate the system.

In a still further variation of the foregoing, in an alternative tocooling provided by the TECs 202, walls 111 of a respective condensermay be cooled using other cooling and refrigeration technologies, suchas natural gas technologies, including (1) a continuous absorption typeof cooling unit operated by the application of a limited amount of heatfurnished by natural gas (e.g., as developed by Servel, Inc.) (oralternatively, heated by electricity, kerosene, and/or any othersuitable fuel), (2) engine driven chillers, (3) desiccantdehumidification systems, (4) heat sinks, and/or the like. It isconsidered that such alternative cooling technologies are well-known inthe art, and that a person skilled in the art, upon a reading of theinvention disclosed herein, could implement such technologies and,therefore, will not be discussed in further detail herein.

Corrugated surfaces and fans may be utilized for forced induction of airin any of the embodiments described herein in a manner as would beapparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art upon a reading ofthis application.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain ofits preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosedare illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range ofvariations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplatedin the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of thepresent invention may be employed without a corresponding use of theother features. Many such variations and modifications may be consideredobvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review ofthe foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the invention.

1. A system for recovering water from air, the system comprising: a baseplate having an upper surface having a substantially non-reflectivesurface to absorb heat energy from the sun; a column positioned on thebase plate, the column having at least one wall through which heatenergy from the sun may pass to the base plate to heat the base plateand the base plate heat air in the column, the column further defining alower end and an upper end; at least one upper plate fabricated fromthermally conductive material, the at least one upper plate beingsecured at an angle between horizontal and vertical within an upper endof the column; at least one lower plate secured within the column andpositioned substantially parallel to and spaced beneath the at least oneupper plate to define a flow channel between the at least one upperplate and the at least one lower plate; at least one thermoelectriccooler (TEC) connectable to an electrical power source for transferringheat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of the TEC, the coolside being positioned on the at least one upper plate, above the flowchannel, for cooling the at least one upper plate, the at least oneupper plate defining a condensing surface; and an accumulator coupled influid communication with the flow channel for collecting andaccumulating water that condenses on and flows through the flow channel.2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink positioned onthe warm side of the TEC for dissipating heat from the TEC.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a layer of insulation adhered to alower side of the lower plate.
 4. A method for recovering water fromair, the method comprising steps of: exposing a heat-absorbing surfaceof a base plate to heat energy from the sun to heat the base plate;heating air within a column positioned on the base plate from heat fromthe base plate causing the air to rise within the column to an upper endof the column; passing the rising air in the column through a flowpassageway defined by an upper plate and a lower plate substantiallyparallel to the upper plate; cooling the upper plate with athermoelectric cooler (TEC) causing water in the air passing through theflow passageway to condense on the upper plate and flow to a receptacleconfigured to accumulate water.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising the step of dissipating heat from the TEC with a heat sink.6. A system for recovering water from air, the system comprising: askirt supported by legs; at least one interior wall suspended from theskirt: an accumulator; at least one exterior wall extending from theaccumulator and spaced from and substantially parallel to the at leastone interior wall, thereby defining a flow channel between the at leastone interior wall and the at least one exterior wall; at least onethermoelectric cooler (TEC) connectable to an electrical power sourcefor transferring heat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of theTEC, the cool side being positioned on the at least one interior wall,not in the flow channel, for cooling the at least one interior wall, theat least one interior wall defining a condensing surface proximate theat least one TEC.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a heatsink positioned on the warm side of the TEC for dissipating heat fromthe TEC.